Locomotive spring assembly



G. C. BATZ Nov. 19, 1935.

Filed April l5, 1954 Patented Nov. 19, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LOCOMOTIVE SPRING ASSEMBLY George C. Batz, Topeka, Kans."

Application April 13, 1934, Serial No. 720,419

6 Claims. (Cl. 267-4) My invention relates to a spring assembly especially adapted for the trucks and drivers of locomotives. Thev springs more generally employed for this purpose on locomotives are of the socalled semi-elliptic type composed o-i a plurality of superimposed plates of varying lengths bound together by a band applied at, or near, the center of the spring. Springs of this multi-plate construction, however, fail to provide the maximum 10r of resilience due to the fact that the normal de'- lections and reactions of the plates, under the influence of variations in loads, are interfered with or dampened by friction between the plates.

The object of my invention is to provide a spring assembly wherein the maximum resilience may be combined with the capacity and the mechanical lever action required of the driving and truck springs as applied to modern locomotives.

A further object of the invention is the pro- 2()y vision of a construction which may be easily formed and readily assembled without need of exceptional skill and time and which will also permit of repair being readily made, as will be readily comprehended from the following detailed de- I scription of the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure l. is a perspective view of my improved spring assembly; one end being shown with the suspension or hanger block and a portion of the i strap, while the block and strap are removed from -Y the other end.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional View of the assembly as disclosed in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a detail top plan view of the left Y hand end of the top member of the assembly.

The specic embodiment of the invention as disclosed in the drawing is especially adapted for use with the side truck frame 0f a locomotive and involves a pair of spring seat members, namely an upper or top` bar 5 and a bottom bar 6.

- These bars or spring seat members are preferably of cast steel and of greatest thickness intermediate of the ends, with the top surfaces of member 5 and the bottom surface of member 6 tapered toward opposite ends of the members. y

The lower side of member 5 is shown provided with a predetermined number of counterbores or annular sockets l; while the upper surface of member 6 is likewise provided with a similar nurnber of counterbores or annular sockets 8 adapted to align with those in the top member 5.

These counterbores or sockets provide seats for the coil springs S; the diameter of the sockets relative to the diameter of the springs being such that free movement of the coils of the springs 5,5. is permitted.

The spring assemblies may consist of single helical springs or each assembly may consist of a plurality of concentric helical springs if required to provide the necessary load carrying capacity.

The relation between the seat providing bars 5 or members 5 and 6 and their movements relative to each other are maintained and controlled by a pair of dowels I0, I0 which are shown rigidly embedded in or secured to spring seat bar or member 5, while the free ends t slidably or loosely 10 in suitable holes I formed in the lower member or bar 6, thus preventing any lateral movement of one bar or seat member relative to the other, while on the other hand permitting free vertical movement of the bars or members 5 and 6 relative 15 to each other. The holes I I are shown preferably extending entirely through the ends of member 6 so as to permit maximum spring compression and approach by the members 5 land 6 toward each other. 20

The top member 5 is shown provided with end extensions I2 which may be slightly narrower Vin width than the main portion of the bar, as shown in Figure 1; and the upper faces of these extensions are each provided with a groove I3 disposed 25 transversely of the bar. These grooves I3 are preferably provided with wear resisting liners or shims I4.

These concaved liners I 4 preferably extend full Width of the extensions I2 and, in order to secure 30 the liners in place, are shown provided with the laterally disposed ears I5 integral with opposite longitudinal sides of the liners, see Figures 1 and 3.

These ears I5 are each transversely slotted to 35 receive an upstandng lug I6 which is either formed integral with the top member 5 or rigidly secured thereto in any suitable manner.

The lugs I6 are vapertured to receive suitable cotters as at Il which are inserted after the wear 40 resisting liners or shims have been put into place. By employing liners I4 it is apparent that the ends of member or bar 5 will not be subjected to wear and its period of usefulness, therefore, not unduly shortened. 45

The specic embodiment of the invention, is especially designed for use with spring hangers of the loop or stirrup type and for that reason the ends or extensions of the top member 5 are provided with the grooves I3 and liners I4. 50

It will be understod, however, that other well known types of hangers may be employed in which event the grooves in the ends of member 5 may be eliminated and replaced by other types of hanger receiving surfaces.

The grooves i3 are intended to receive a hanger block or tiltable bearing member as shown at I8 which has a reduced bottom portion made arcuate to permit sidewise tilting or rocking action in the groove. The sides of block or member I8 are shown disposed above the plan-e of the upper face of the member to provide a seat for the loop or stirrup type of hanger shown at i9.

The hanger, at one end of the assembly, may extend beneath the side frame, while the hanger at the other end may attach to the equalizer.

The lower spring seat bar or member 6, intermediate of its ends, is shown provided with a depending projection at 25 which is adapted to fit into the pocket customariiy provided in locomotive truck frames, boxes, or in the socket of the driving box saddle commonly employed. The depending projection 2@ constitutes a pivot ,about which the entire spring assembly may rock or oscillate in harmony with the action of other parts of the carrying gear of the locomotive. That is to say, the projection 2&3 provides a pivot point for any relative movement, for example between the spring ,assembly and the driving box; and in order to facilitate such action the lower bearing face of projection 20 is preferably made arcuate as shown.

It is apparent from the construction shown that a spring assembly is provided which is free of the objections encountered with the plate springs heretofore employed and the desired resilience is obtained and combined with the capacity and mechanical lever action required of the driving and truck springs of modern' locomotives; the assembly permitting the addition and replacement or removal of the springs to be readily made.

It is also apparent that the spring units may consist of concentrically arranged springs if required; and the ends of the springs may be retained in place by other means instead of the counterbores or ,annular sockets, which latter, however, permit the use of springs of sufficient length and having the requisite number of coils.

'I'he assembly, as disclosed, is believed to be a simple embodiment of the invention which has been described in terms employed for purposes of description and not of limitation as structural modifications are possible ,and may be made Without, however, departing from the spirit of my invention.

What I claim is:

l. A locomotive spring assembly comprising a pair of elongated members whose opposing faces are provided with a plurality of sockets .and one of said members of greater length than the other, the outer surface of the ends of said member being provided with transverse arcuate grooves; a plurality of coil springs disposed between said members with. their ends seated in said sockets, said springs being adapted to normally maintain the members in spaced relation; guide-pins secured toV one member and disposed through apertures in the other member for maintaining the members in alignment while permitting movement of the members toward and away from each other; and hanger receiving blocks tiltably mounted in said arcuate grooves.

2. A locomotive spring assembly comprising a pair of elongated members whose opposing faces are provided with spring seating surfaces, while the outer face of one member at each end is provided with a transversely disposed arcuate groove; a plurality of coil springs disposed between said members with their ends arranged on said seating surfaces, said springs being adapted to normally hold the members in spaced relation; means secured to one of the members and slidingly receiving the other member for maintaining the members in alignment while permitting movement of the members toward and away from each other; and a hanger receiving block tiltably mounted in each of said arcuate grooves.

3. A locomotive spring assembly comprising a pair of elongated members arranged one above the other, one of said members extending beyond the ends of the other and said extended ends on their outer sides each provided with a transversely disposed groove, while the outer face of the other member at its center has a fulcrum providing projection; a plurality of coil springs between said members adapted to normally maintain the members in spaced relation; means whereby the members are yieldingly maintained in alignment; and hanger receivingblocks tiltably mounted in said transverse grooves.

4. A locomotive spring assembly comprising a pair of elongated members adapted to be arranged one above the other, the outer side of each member being oppositely tapered toward the ends, the lower member at the center being provided with a depending fulcrum providing projection, while the upper face of the top member adjacent the ends is transversely grooved; a plurality of coil springs between the members adapted to normally maintain the members in spaced relation; a channeled wear plate removably secured in each of said grooves; and hanger receiving blocks tiltably mounted in the channels of said wear plates.

5. A locomotive spring assembly comprising a pair of elongated members arranged one above the other, the upper member having ends extending beyond the vertical planes of the ends of the lower member and said extended ends provided with upstanding lugs, while the lower member intermediate of its ends is provided with a depending fulcrum providing projection; coil springs arranged between said members and adapted to normaily maintain the members in spaced relation; channeled wear plates provided with apertured ears adapted to receive said 'opstanding lugs and thereby hold the wear plates in piace; and hanger receiving blocks tiltably mounted in the channels of said wear plates.

6. A locomotive spring assembly comprising a pair of elongated members whose opposing faces are provided with a plurality of comparatively deep counterbores adapted to constitute spring receiving sockets, the sockets being ,arrangedin series lengthwise of each member and the sockets of the two members adapted to be in aligned relation; a plurality of coil springs disposed between said members and their ends arranged in said sockets and adapted to have free movement, with the number of coils located in the sockets at opposite ends of each spring being greater than the number of coils exposed between said members so as to collapse into the aligned counterbores, said springs normally maintainingsaid members in spaced relation, guide pins secured to one of said members adjacent its ends; openings in the other member through which the pins slidably pass whereby the members are maintained in alignment while permitting movement of the members relative to each other, the lower member being provided with a fulcrum point intermediate of its ends; and adjustable means for tiltably supporting the load fromV the upper member.

GEORGE C. BATZ. 

